Wrench



June;l 16, 1925.

J. EIFEL WRENCH v IN V EN TOR.

RNEY

Filed Q61. 29, 1917 W I TN ESS Patented June 16, 1925 oosErH EIFEL, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

1,542,123 PATENT OFFICE.

` WRENCH.

Application led October 29, 1917. Serial` No. 199,034.

A.To all whom t mag/concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH EIEEL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michi an, have invented certain new and useful mprovements in Wrenches,

of which the following is a specication.

My present invention relates to wrenches, more particularly those of the type in which the shank of one jaw slides relatively to the shank of the other jaw longitudinally of the wrench as a whole. V

The principal objects of my present inven-` tion are the provision of improved means for moving the jaws of a wrench relatively to veach other, the provision of improved means for adjusting the position of the jaws ofa wrench relatively to each other; the provision of improved means for operatingwrenches `of the type in which the shank of one jaw slides relatively to the shank of the other jaw longitudinally of the device as a whole; the provisionof improved means for adjusting the relativeposition of the two shanks of a wrench of this type; the provision of improved means for adjusting the position of the operating lever relatively to the parts moved thereby; the provision of improved means forpreventn ing accidental disengagement of the movable jaw from the other parts p. of the wrench; theV provision of yielding means for preventing accidental disengagement of the movable jaw from the `other parts of the wrench while allowing disengagements when desired; the provision of an improved ratchet connection between the movable jaw and its operating lever; the provision of means for enabling a wrench to be used as a vise; theprovision of means for moving the jaws towards each other a short distance with greater leverage than that obtainable by the manual means normally employed alone` for moving the jaws towards and away from each other a greater distance; the provision of means for clamping the jaws in any desired position; and generally fto improve, simplify and cli'eapen4 the con struction of wrenches. j

In attaining these and other objects and advantages to be hereinafter set forth, VI have provided a construction, various embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich l `Figure 1 is av side view of a wrench con structed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on theline 2--2 of Fig. l; e

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3of Fig; 1;

Fig; 4 is aside view ofa modified form of jaw;

Fig.. 5 jaw; e

`FigtG is a side vView of a still further form of jaw ;A and F 1g. 7 is a view of the jaws shown in Fig.J "6 taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and Fig; 8 is an alternative form of construction of 'a art of the wrench shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the form of construction shown in Fidsgll to 3,1 and 2 represent the two` jaws of the wrench' attached respectively to the shanks 3 and 4. The shank` 3 is larranged to slide longitudinally'within a slot or aperture of substantially rectanguis a side View of a `further form of lar cross section in the shank 4, which acts as'one of the operating levers of the wrench. The shank 3 is moved relatively to'the shank 4 by means of the toothed segment 5 adapted to engage teeth 6 of the rack formed Von the shank 3. This segment 5 is connected tothe lever 7 by 'means of the pin 8 to secure the segmental part 5 and the lever 7 to the in 8, so that by moving the lever 7 towar s and away from the shank or lever 4, the jaws 1 and 2 are caused to approach or recede. `The segment 5 is made sutlicientlv narrow so that by moving the lever 7 away from the lever 4, sufliciently far, the teeth of `the segment 5 may bev moved away from the teeth of the shank` 3 to allow the relative position of the lever 7 and the shank 3 with its jaw 1 to be varied as desired. l

,Thelever 7 and the segment 5 are carried by two lugs 9 and 10, depending from the lever 4, by means ofthe pin 8. The pin 8 is* connected to the segment 5 by means of ascrew 11 and to the side end portions 7a ofthe lever 7 by squared portions 8a and 8l. Between'these squared portions is a cylindrical portion 8c which enables the lever and segment to pivot easily in the lugs 9 and 10. The squared portions 8a and 82 are respectively larger and smaller than the central cylindrical portion 8, so that the pin can be inserted through the` various parts from one side land retained in posi `tion by a screw'12 inserted in a threaded aperture at the smaller end of the pin 8. Instead of providing circularholes in the fili lugs Q and 10, I prefer to employ l'diagonal slots i13 sloping rearwardly faway 'fror'n the jaws. ressure on the levers to bring the jaws together holds the pin 8 against the uppermost end of the slot (viewed troni the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings) while pressure on the end of the jaw ldirected inwardly willtend to push the segment 5 rearwardly with 'the resiilt that the p in 8Hwill be moved diagonally V.along the 'slots r13 saleentl'y to allow the teeth ofthe segment 5 to clear the teeth "of'the shank '3 l.and enable the Ylattertoi'nove rearwardly to the desired extent. Any force `"tending to separate the 'jaws v-will 'only press the pli'n more firmly against the uppermost 'ents or' the`s`l`ts 13, so that the latter provide for a ratchet action between the 'shank 3 andthe segment :5 'in one direction7 "that is, in Acausing the jaws to approach.

Inprder 'to hold fthe vparts in position, under normal conditions, l lhave rprovided a spi-'mg arrivere Aaree to the lever 2l 'and bearing its other Yend against the funder siiifaceithe segment 5. The lugs 9 and l() are errang-eti 'to Aartefici'be1`oif-v the lower surface off "the segment 5'so`that 'the end of'th'e'fs'pring 21 norinallylis between them thereby'prev'ented from movig lat @I1-ally. j n

Tn Oide'rft'o prevent the shank 3 vbecomi'n'g "accidentally Vdisengaged from the other parts oi the wrench when the Ysegment 5 hasile'e'n ino'v'edout oft engagement with the teeth 6 oi the shank without preventing disengagement when desired, I have .provided a springl catch 14. Inv the 'forino'f construction 'shownthis catch 121 is -lattached to the of 'the shank B so as to leave its upper rounded enti ie'flip'rojejting 'laterally Stilricie'ntly fair to engage the part la of the lever 4 wtnutprojectng'too'raito prevent `thespi-ing'ibending under pressure to'bring the 'partlla underthe' partira'. 'The Vpart 4 is lso located 4that"'t`l 1e spring catch 14a will not 'Contact vtherewithwithinthe rang/e of j aw opening for ".vhich the wrench is designed. A y A A releasable lock is provided which `serves sei/"eraly purposes Ifirst to hold the levers l and 7' in adjustedposition, and 'second-to bring these levers together with .greater force than is Iobtainable b v unanualfpressure alone inthe le'verslfl` and-'7, Aandl'third to adjust `the'locked position or the levers 4 and`7 '4a-nd thereby iirmly 'hold the aws `1 and 2 within smallnlimits. This lock coinprises iatchet-toothed lever 17 "pivotally mounted at 24 on the end'of a'lever 18.

This lever 18v is pivotally Ymounted at Q5 on the lever il. The end y18a .of'this-'lever is arranged tolbe engaged an inclined "face onli. `slide member T9 ad'aptedfto 'in'ove'lto spring K26 acting on the end of the toothed lever 17 holds it in proper position for en gaging the toothed member 16 at such time Ya's the levers 4 and 7 are brought together in gripping an fobject. rIt the member 19 is moved towards the ratchet-toothed lever 17 the latter by means ot' lever 18 is drawn towards the lever 4 and consequently by reason 'ot the engagement of the teeth on the members 16 and 17 brings the levers t and 7 together.4 In order to hold the members 1G and "17 in engagement the spring 26 is Mite/d on Jthe lever 18 adapted to bear 'ag in'stthe end oi Vthe lever 17 which is inlined so that vthe spring eontacts as shown "with its'rear edge only. In order-:to bring the lever 17 into inoperative position it is ii'i'o'ved through A90") into Athe position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l1 by insertion of the lingers between 'the handles and 7 in which position it isreleasa'bly held by the spring 26.

In Fig. 8 isshown a'device which may be used'i'n place of the slide member 19 for moving'the lever 18. This 'device comprises a 'linurled nutf7 journaled in an aperture in thelever 'ljfthrough vwhich "nut passes threaded pin l28 loosely pivotally connected a't`29 tothe 'end'llaof lthe le'ver 18. Y

By means of the conetruction just described, the wrench maybe vemployed as -a visehlarge adjustmentsbeing made byvv'arying the position of the segment A5 relativel).7 to the sliarflr', smalleradjustnients by varyiiig'the engagement oft the-teeth on the mem bers lliand 17 and the 4i'i'nal holding onxadjustinent by means of the lever 18. The adjustment of the lever 18 having very considerable leverage can belemployedjtoproduce ay more continuous 'force on the jaws 1"'and 2 than isordinarily applicable by means of manual pressure on the levers and 7.. y l l y I lnllliguresl to.7 modified forms of jaws are shown. which 'may be used in {place ot 1 those illustrated/ in Figurenl. "In the forni oi:I construction shown in Figures G and 7. altransverse notch 8O is provided in the opposing jaw faces as well as a longitudinal notch y31. This construetion makesiitpossible to grip aunut on the'opposite corners with the wrench in two positions, i. e. with the jaws perpendicular to the base of thc nutl and with the. jaws parallel to the axis ot tlie'nut. The last mentioned position is frequently required when there is little or no rooinlto operate the wrench in the 'first mentioned position. l

-Having thus described my invention and illustrated itsA use. what l claim as new and desire 4to secure by Letters Patenty is vl. 'A Adevice o'ffthe kind described, 'comprising, in 4combination-a pair vor' jaws, a pairlofshalil'rs connectedfto said jaws and adapted lfor relative sliding movement,

but constructed and arranged to permit vol-v untary disengagement or movement of said shank for varying the relation between the said jaws upon the application manuallyV of a predetermined separating the shanks.

2. A device ofy the kind described, comprising, in combination, a pair of jaws, a pair vof shanks connected to said jaws and adapted for relative sliding movement in each instance, one of saidshanksbeing extended to 'form an operating rigid lever, and an auxiliary lever having a ratchet connection with one of said Shanks and adapted to move it relatively to the other lever, whereby saidV jaws may be brought towards each other without separating said levers, said auxiliary lever having .its voperatinghandle portion-on one side of said extended shank and its ratchet connectioncn the other.

3. A device of the kind described, comprising, incombination, a pair of jaws, a pair of simple, operating levers for directly giving the aws relative movement, and supplemental means for increasing the tension between said operating levers.

4. A device of the kind described, comprising, in combination, a pair of jaws, a pair of operating levers therefor, a ratchettoothed member on each of said levers adapted to engage each other, and means for pressure upon moving one of said members toward its lever without disengagement from the other member and thereby increasing the tension between said operating levers, said means holding the levers independently of -the operators pressure locked in predetermined position.

5. A device of the kind described, comprising, in combination, a pair of jaws, a pair of operating levers therefor, a member on each of said levers adapted to engage detachably the opposite member and means for moving one of said members `towards its lever without disengagement from the other member and thereby increasing the tension between said operating levers, said means holding the levers independently of the operators pressure locked in predetermined position. i f

6. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a shank having a jaw, an extended portion serving as a lever, and a pivot support, 'a second shank having a jaw and a rack facing said pivot support, said two Shanks being slidable relatively to each other and longitudinally of `the device, and a toothed member and an operating handle therefor pivotally mounted handle being adapted to cause said jaws to approach when the handle is moved towards the extended portion of the first mentioned shank, and said toothed member and handle being adapted ,to permit variation of the engagement of the toothedmember with the rack by means-of linealand rotatory movement of the handle, and said jaws and said pivot support being disposed on one side of the longitudinal axis of the device and said operatinghandle being disposed on the other side thereof.

c 7 A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a shank having a jaw, an extended portion serving as a lever, and a pivot support, a second shank having a jaw and a rack Jracing said pivot support, said two shanks being slidable relatively to each other and longitudinally of the device, and a toothed member and an operating handle therefor pivotally mounted in said support, said toothed member being adapted for engaging said rack, and said handle being adapted to cause said jaws to approach when the handle is moved towards the extended portion of the first mentioned shank, and said handle being also adapted to impart substantial longitudinal movement to said rack through said gear upon outward movement of the lever, and also to move said gear out of engagement with said rack to permit variation of the engagement therebetween, and said jaws and said pivot support being disposed on one side of the longitudinal axis of the device, and said operating handle being disposed on the other side thereof.

8. In combination relatively slidable members having complemental gripping jaws, one of said members being extended to form a lever, a second lever pivoted on the said last mentioned member for cooperation with lirst said lever to relatively slide said members, and means adjustable on said first lever and having connection with the second lever for increasing the leverage imposed upon said relatively slidable members.

9. In combination relatively slidable members having complemental gripping jaws, one of said members being extended to form a lever, a second lever ivcted on the said last mentioned member .iihr cooperation with first said lever to relatively slide said members and an auxiliary lever on said rst mentioned lever for establishing detachable connection between said first and second levers, lor increasing the leverage imposed by the same.

l0. In combination Vrelatively slidable members having complemental gripping jaws, one of said members being extended to form a lever, a second lever pivoted on the said last-mentioned member for co0 eration with the first said lever to relatlvely slide said members, and means for increasing fig:

`the leverage imposed upon said 4relatively ition with lfirst said lever "to relat'iwely slide saidiner'nb'ers, :an .auxiliary `leve'r .fdet'alehably connectingl said first and second levers, and means *for actuating said auxiliary lever, for in'ereasingthe leverage imposed b'y'saiid first and second levers.

lf2. In vcombination relatively slidabl'e members having; eoinpleiinental vgrip'lfii-ng, ja ,one of said members'being-'extended to forma lever, a second lever .pifvotedfon the said .lastinentione'd member forro-operation with :first said lever .to relatively slide vsaid members, fan auxiliary lever Vpivoted o'n one ol first said levers and i having detachable connection ufiththe Iother of said levers, andfniea-ns for actuating said auxiliaryflever for inoving ysaid first :and second levers together.

18. In a wrench, a `pai'rioip 'relatively slidable Ishrinks having loomple'mental aws, one

tonerating lever, -Ineans for moving said -tiveen said 2jaws, yield-ingly Yresistant, means 'on -one folz -tfhe Shanks fior .preventing their :accidental `disengageinent, and auxiliary means feo'nne'eti-ng isa-id lever and fi-rst vsaid lnfierafns flier increasing tvh'e leverage -imgposed on said shanks.

let. A device of the kind described, cornflorisi-'ng Ein eon'ibiina'tion, a jpair -o-f aws, a ip 'iir lot' -shafnlrs yeonnee'ted to said jaws "and ladafp'ted for vrelative sliding movement, vone et' sa'i'd Shanks :being extended to form Yan operating lever,.and an auxiliary lever `having' an operatingconneetionwith one of said sl'ianlrs andndapted fto nieve it relatively to the xother lever, whereby said 4jaws may be broughttowards eae'lrotlier without separating seid levers, said auxiliary lever 'having u operatinscr handle portion @none-side of said extended shankand its fopera'ting connection on the other. I

`SVIn .testimony whereof, l have fhereunto signe'dmy naine.

TGSEPH EIFEL. 

